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| Team Apathy |
We don’t travel in the mountains without chains, even with the 4wd and good AT’s (I know they aren’t the same as snow tires). It’s the law and it’s just common sense. As far as additional maintenance are we just talking differential service every once in a while and tire rotations, or something else? Oh, and another point to add in for consideration: it doesn’t need to be a “long term solution”. It may be one 3-4 years since we’ll be buying an older model, probably between 07-11, roughly. | |||
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| Member |
I had this discussion recently. But analaysis would be that my Subaru has 10 more seals, 10 more bearings, 6 more cv joints, 4 more shafts, a central and rear differential, and a bunch of other parts you don’t have on a fwd car. I love 4wd but I live where it’s a huge benefit. Plus tires are a mess if you have an issue. “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” | |||
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| Member |
My little Trax was AWD. Great mileage and churned right through the Yoop snow and ice. On the Seney Stretch one winter, it was deep enough I could hear snow dragging on the undercarriage. No problem. When I made it to Munising, there was 8 inches of snow on it. End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles | |||
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| Jack of All Trades, Master of Nothing  |
Looking at crossovers and SUV's opens up more options than a minivan if you really want AWD. My daughter can deflate your daughter's soccer ball. | |||
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| Raised Hands Surround Us Three Nails To Protect Us  |
And out side of your rear differential none of those things are serviceable/maintenance issues. The Sienna (which he is looking at) uses a shared transfer case/front differential so there is not an extra fluid change there. The only added maintenance is an extra fluid change of the rear differential. Which I think holds 1 quart maybe 1.5 if memory serves me correctly. So you are talking $30 increase in maintenance cost every 50k Miles. I have had Ford, Chevy, Toyota, and Audi AWD systems and none ever needed anything more than a simple fluid change. I am a big proponent of AWD just for regular driving. Stability is much nicer in all driving conditions. We here drive lots of twisty 2 lane country roads and driving FWD just is not enjoyable. Hold out for the AWD. ———————————————— The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad. If we got each other, and that's all we have. I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you! | |||
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| Member |
Their is 4WD, full time AWD, & part time AWD. Full time AWD is much more than snow & ice capabilities. My VW Touareg was an incredible performer in the wet & dry. I downsized to a VW Tiguan with part time AWD. Their is a difference in dry & rain cornering. __________________________________________________ If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit! Sigs Owned - A Bunch | |||
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fugitive from reality |
My wife and I have been driving Subarus for the last 200k miles or so. The only additional maintenance difference from any other vehicle is the differential fluid changes every 15k miles. We both get 30 mpg highway, and 25-27 mpg combined around town. AWD in a mini van is a tough because these aren't many options. The good news is it sounds like you really don't need it. I've beaten the worst of winter with fed and winter driving tires so that's always an option. _____________________________ 'I'm pretty fly for a white guy'. | |||
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Member |
This. Expand your search to see if there's anything SWMBO likes over a van. | |||
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| Savor the limelight |
Out of curiosity, something wrong with your truck for those occasional snowy mountain trips? | |||
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| Member |
My wife has an AWD vehicle and loves it. Traction in less than ideal conditions has been more than impressive. Maintenance issues (with the drive train) have not surfaced in 142000. That being said, having an issue w/ alignment can chew up a tire faster than the other 3. Then instead of replacing 1 tire, you're replacing 4 (or having a new one shaved to match w/in 3/32" tread of the remaining 3). Fuel economy is still better than my other vehicles. s. _______________________________________________________________________ Don't Ask The Tyrants Why They Commit Tyranny, Ask The Slaves Why They Kneel | |||
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| Stupid Allergy  |
My point about living in North Texas was that it’s *not* needed, but I still wouldn’t be caught without 4WD/AWD. I don’t see the point in 2WD trucks. Every 4Runner I’ve owned (6) has had 4WD. Just my opinion.. "Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen... | |||
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| Member |
have 15 years experience with Acura AWD vehicles i am a believer tires don't last as long -but- i feel the vehicle is more 'dialed in' under any condition : dry, wet, slushy, etc our household will always have at least one AWD / 4wd vehicle (although now in FL the need has been lessened - no snow / ice) -------------------------------------- Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. | |||
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Member |
Absolutely. The only thing you’re missing is a sliding side door in most cases. Most small/mid SUVs and crossovers sit and ride very similar to minivans. Otherwise, unless you’re in a hurry, be patient and let what you’re looking for come to you. I searched for almost 8 months before I found my Tacoma and it was absolutely worth the patience with the deal I got. I recommend cargurus.com for the search. They had WAY more results and options than any other site. | |||
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| Oh stewardess, I speak jive.  |
I'll never own a non-AWD vehicle again, except for Motorcycles. On my old 4runner it's capable of 2WD, AWD, and 4WD (high and lo with electronic locking hubs if needed). I get 1.2mpg less in AWD vs 2WD. As such I drive in AWD 99% of the time, mixed driving between the mountains of Colorado, as well as city and highway driving, trailer pulling, dirt, gravel, mixed, paved, rain, sleet, snow, you name it... My truck has nearly 300,000 mikes on it, original motor, original drive train. Works great. And the AWD and 4WD parts show no signs of wear that needs repair or replacement. | |||
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Honky Lips |
You do what makes you happy, but I think AWD in modesto is stupid, it would seem the market there feels the same. | |||
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| Member |
Just looked at the Maintenance Schedule for our 2016 Outback. It's showing only Inspect on the Differential starting at 60,000 miles, then about every 30,000 again to Inspect. Is yours an older version Subaru? The schedule I pulled up was for all models. The BRZ and STI had some exceptions. FWIW we really like our Outback. The AWD comes in handy when we head to the mountains for skiing and it also comes in surprisingly handy here in Vegas. Any precipitation makes the roads slick due to oil/rubber build up. | |||
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| Member |
We had the AWD debate with my wife's new ride. Ended up not getting AWD primarily due to the fact that 95% of the time it's a commuter car to the office and it snows in Denver a few times a year. AWD is nice but if I were buying a 7-12 year old vehicle as mentioned, I'd steer away from it unless it was a must have. That's exactly when things starting failing on my Acura MDX (engine mounts, rear struts) and my Lexus GX470 started to really feel it's age after 10+ years. | |||
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Member |
Living the Dream | |||
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| Team Apathy |
Growing family. We’re at max capacity with 3 small children. Even if we don’t increase the number of people I just can’t seem to get them to stop growing. Otherwise no, it’s been just great in the snow.
She’s got a 4wd Escape. It’s just way too small. We’ve had a Durango, and it was great for a time. I’d prefer a Tahoe XL or Suburban type vehicle but she is set on the minivan. | |||
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| Crusty old curmudgeon  |
In the northwest where we live, AWD or 4WD are almost a necessity because of the winters. I've had one or the other since '73' and currently have a Sorento AWD. There is no extra maintenance for the AWD components beyond insect up to 190k. The difference in mileage between AWD and 2WD is listed as 1 MPG so that isn't in the equation. If the OP plans on putting more than 100k on the vehicle I'd say get AWD just in case there is a possible need for it down the road. Jim ________________________ "If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird | |||
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